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ESPN The Magazine’s Annual ‘Body Issue’

For this year’s ‘Body Issue,’ ESPN The Magazinegave six covers with some very fit athletes. If you needed any inspiration to get yourself into a gym, this would be it. Along with the gorgeous Tennis pro Venus Williams, Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelpstakes a dip, and snowboarder Jamie Andersonjust barely covers herself for the mag. Super Bowl Champion from the Seattle Seahawks football player Marshawn Lynchand baseball player Prince Fielderalso get their individual covers.

Photographed by Carlos Serrao

Phelps says he came out of his 18 month retirement because he was bored, basically. I guess swimming in your home pool doesn’t compare to competing on the world stage. He wasn’t totally clear on whether he would be participating in the 2016 Olympics, but he he said he would be there “no matter what.”

Photographed by Peggy Sirota

As a snowboarder, Anderson naturally has a super laid back attitude, which has helped her to succeed on the slopes. Normally the hippie-dippie thing comes off a little grating, but you can’t help but fall in love with her positivity here in her interview.

Photographed by Williams & Hirakawa

Venus’ little sister Serenarecently suffered a health scare during their Doubles match at Wimbledon. Battling Sjogren’s Syndrome herself, Williams says there was a point when she was too tired to train, and couldn’t even play tennis. She calls the disease a “life-changing experience,” and of course she bounced back to continue her reign as one of the top ranked women in tennis.

Photographed by Peter Hapak

Serge Ibakais something of a gym nut. He says he wishes he had more body parts to work, “If I had my way, I’d be in the gym all day. I love to lift.” Oh, well I have something you can lift….uh, I’ll be over here.

You can see more strategically placed hands and balls (ahem) when the ‘Body Issue‘ hits newsstands this Friday!